Bladder infection in men

Updated: 2022-12-21

Answer Section

Although bladder infections are more common in women, men can get them, too. Signs and symptoms of bladder infection (cystitis) in men include:

• Frequent urination
• Strong, persistent urge to urinate (urgency)
• Burning or tingling sensation during or just after urination (dysuria)
• Low-grade fever
• Cloudy urine with a strong odor
• Blood in urine (hematuria)
• Trouble urinating, especially if you have a problem with your prostate

Increased risk of bladder infection in men may be linked to:

• An enlarged prostate (benign prostatic hyperplasia, or BPH)
• Kidney stones
• Diabetes
• Abnormal narrowing of the urethra (urethral stricture)
• Recent use of a tube to drain your bladder (urinary catheter)
• Having a procedure done where an instrument is inserted into the urethra, the opening at the tip of the penis where urine leaves the body

Treatment of a bladder infection depends on the cause, but typically includes antibiotics.